By Canadian Press

Redblacks acquire rights to Canadian linebacker Francis from Elks

Jul 4, 2023 | 9:35 AM

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Redblacks have acquired the rights to Canadian linebacker Kevin Francis from the Edmonton Elks for a fourth-round pick in the 2024 CFL draft.

The 30-year-old Francis was on the Elks’ suspended list.

The Elks signed Francis on Feb. 14, but after the deal was made the special-teams ace publicly stated he wasn’t happy with the contract terms and didn’t report to camp. 

Francis, from Toronto, had a CFL-leading 22 special-teams tackles with the B.C. Lions in 2022.

It will be his second stint in Ottawa. He had eight special-teams tackles in seven games with the Redblacks in 2019.

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Francis has recorded 18 defensive tackles and 61 special-teams tackles in 82 career regular-season games with Saskatchewan, Ottawa and B.C.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 4, 2023.

The Canadian Press